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I Didn’t Think it Could Get Better…. Then There was More

10 days in Fiji already sounds like a dream. Add on whitewater rafting, snorkeling, riding on a catamaran and a jet boat, ziplining, hiking to two waterfalls, visiting 5 resorts and a village, and driving buggies and it starts to sound like The Amazing Race. Just when I thought it was physically impossible to add any more to our itinerary, we decided, on our last day in Fiji, to take the plunge and jump from an airplane with Skydive Fiji.

Jumping from 14,000 has its advantages. The flight was almost 20 minutes over one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world. Normally being crammed into such tight quarters with 5 other people would have caused me great anxiety. I don’t even like riding in an elevator with others because I feel trapped, but the view was mesmerizing and kept me distracted.

I knew we reached our desired altitude when the instructor attached to my friend, Stefanie, opened the door. I thought jumping second would give me some time to process everything that was happening but I never realized that that’s not always the best thing when you’re about to do something totally unnatural. Shifting from the back of the plane to the door seemed endless and it was like I forgot how to breathe. I focused on my instructor, Tim, and mimicked his movements until my feet were hanging outside the plane. It doesn’t get much more intense than hanging out at 14,000 feet.

When he pulled my head back, I knew we were about to jump. I embraced the fear, opened my eyes, and smiled for the camera.

The first two seconds are the most extreme and adrenaline filled. I could feel my feet flip over my head and the complete lack of control was liberating. My life was in someone else’s hands.

I was free, uninhibited by daily worries or restrictions.

During the free fall, I had time to focus on the cameraman, pose for photos, look around, think about how warm the air felt against my body, and adjust my top that was blowing in the wind. That’s a lot of processing while plummeting through the air at 200 km/h!

The free fall is, without question, the best part, but when the parachute opened I was able to see Fiji from a different perspective. With nothing obstructing my view, I soared above the islands, trying to take in as much as possible. This is what dreams are made of!

When I’m 65, 70, 80, or beyond, moments like these will remain ingrained in my memory.

“The true value of time is that you’ve got to make your decisions in each day count, otherwise you could live forever and it won’t make much difference.” Mitch Albom

Wow! Great photos Lesley! I’m glad you had a great time. I’m even happier you were able to photograph the amazing trip. This is what I love about your blog. Your sole mission is overcoming your fears (many of which I share) while exploring the great wonders of the world. :)

Awesome..I dream of sky diving. Following dreams is similar to sky diving. At first it looks scary, then when you are amidst land and sky,it’s awesome. And once you are done, you have the most powerful feeling of your life. I guess I am not wrong :)

The thought of swimming with all that gear on did cross my mind, especially since I just watched a shark tv show the night before. You are prepared for such events although it has never happened there.

So…I promised myself I would jump out of a plane in my 50th year. I turned the big 50 on 12.2…I doubt I will get to do it anywhere nearly as cool as Fiji but since I am only about 2 hours from Fort Bragg…home of the 82 Airborne. I believe it is quite attainable. I understand there are several private companies available in the area that specialize in the art of dragging screaming middle aged women out of planes. You have inspired me…embarrassing the fear..that is just too damn cool. GREAT JOB!
As soon as the weather in NC gets warm…I am so there.

OMG…now that would be completely awesome! By the way, ,my 23 year old son told me using OMG was not cool at all, So I do it at every available opportunity. Yes I am in Winston Salem…this is going to be fun. I will find out the scoop from some people I know in Fayetteville …YAY! and Thanks!

I cannot believe my luck! I will find out and let you know…how fun is this going to be?!! I can’t wait until it gets warmer..thank you again. I did not want to go alone and unfortunately none of my friends or family has quite the same sense of adventure. I am sure they will come watch from the ground …silly people

What a wonderful experience, but I could never do it. I’d be throwing up just from the thought of falling. But I love living those scary things, like sky diving, through you while I’m nice and safe and still on the ground. You are right though, you will always have the memories even when you are very old, just be sure you keep some pictures handy and your blog alive so when those days come, and they will faster than you can imagine right now, You’ll have proof of your adventures when no one believes the Old People couldn’t possibly have done all those things.

I LOVED skydiving – one of my favorite activities of all time! Like you said – it’s such an adrenaline rush! I remember I had an adrenaline rush for almost days afterwards!! I found it so much less scary than bungee jumping, since you don’t see anything rushing past you, your brain just doesn’t really register that you’re falling (plus the free fall lasts so much longer!). I definitely want to try to go in other places, and jumping in Fiji would definitely be amazing!
Do you think you’ll try and train to be able to jump solo?

I have a great imagination and ability to visualise but when it comes to actually doing what you do I am very happy for you to be my enthusiastic surrogate. I’m full of admiration and I will continue to be in awe.

Forty-four years ago I said I would never ride a motocycle. Well I own and ride a motorbike everyday for over a year now. I feel secure when I say; “I will never jump out of an airplane.” There are not forty-four more years ahead, and I don’t anticipate any unusual encounters of the third kind to speed me to have to eat my words. :) I cheer your courage.